Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours, here at Last Word On Hockey. In this edition, we talk about the Utah Mammoth and the latest on their pursuit to improve the roster. Speculation is heating up with the trade deadline just around the corner.
NHL Rumours: Why the Utah Mammoth Must Address their Centre Position
Rumour: NHL Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period explained to Jeff Marek on The Sheet that the Mammoth are looking to make a move, ideally for a core player with term left on their contract. They’ll have around $26 million in salary cap space to work with after this season.
Analysis: Utah’s interest in making a deal is warranted. The Mammoth are a sleeper team for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, so expect them to go for it. Their biggest need is a centre who can produce offence, while staying reliable defensively. Since they can’t just rely on star Logan Cooley, one centre linked to trade rumours who could fit the role is Vincent Trocheck.
Utah’s Situation
In the absence of Cooley, the Mammoth moved Nick Schmaltz from wing to centre, because he can play each position. This has benefited both Utah and Schmaltz, who’s on pace for a career year with 53 points in 57 games. That’s second on the team, behind only Clayton Keller. Once Cooley returns, the 29-year-old should return to his usual spot on the wing. Barrett Hayton still occupies the second-line centre role, but he’s had a very difficult season.
The former fifth-overall pick in 2018 hasn’t entirely fulfilled the expectations that comes with being selected that high, but Hayton still has the tools to be a productive offensive contributor. He has just seven goals after scoring 20 last season. This could force Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong to go shopping for a centre.
Trocheck’s name has been swirling around. This makes him an intriguing option for the Mammoth, plus his contract still has three years left at just $5.625 million average annual value. The New York Rangers centre also played for the Gold Medal winning Team USA at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Trocheck has offensive upside, a strong defensive game, and a favourable cap hit. Although he’s having a down year with 12 goals and 36 points, Trocheck’s scored 20 or more goals in four-consecutive seasons prior. He’s also a magician on faceoffs (56.5%) and is usually healthy. Armstrong should have Trocheck on his radar.
He has a 12 team no-trade list, so he would need to approve a move if the Mammoth are on it.
What It Might Cost for the Centre
Centres are always sought after around the league. That also means teams won’t be willing to part with them so easily. Trocheck would fall into that category because of what he brings. Adding him would give a young Mammoth team another veteran presence that would greatly improve their penalty kill, which is currently 16th. He played a big role in USA being perfect when down a man.
Utah could be looking at a price tag of a prospect and draft pick. That would likely be a first-rounder, and potentially another pick as well.
Now that the Olympics have concluded, the Mammoth are ready to resume the season. Utah currently holds the top Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoff Wild Card spot with 64 points. Addressing their centre situation should be a top priority, whether that’s done within the organization or externally.
Main Photo Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images